How Does Uranium Decay Impact the Temperature of Surrounding Lead?

In summary, the conversation discusses the process of uranium decay and its effects on the surrounding material. The lead surrounding the uranium is the final decay product, and the decay of 1.00 g of uranium to thorium converts 6.83x10-8 kg of mass to energy. The question is then posed of what the temperature change of 120.0 kg of lead surrounding 1.00 g of uranium would be after 3.8 million years, assuming the uranium absorbs none of the heat. The equations used are e=mc^2 and mf=mi(0.5)^t/h. The result obtained was 394,035 degrees Celsius, however, this answer may be unreasonable and requires further explanation.
  • #1
Zoey Brown
17
0
1. The
Lead is the final decay product of uranium-238 (half life = 4.7 billion years), so often the

uranium is embedded in lead. The decay of 1.00 g of uranium to thorium converts

6.83x10-8 kg of mass to energy. Assuming the uranium absorbs none of the heat, what

would be the temperature change of 120.0 kg of lead surrounding 1.00 g of uranium after

3.8 million years?

Homework Equations


e=mc^2
mf=mi(0.5)^t/h

The Attempt at a Solution


i got a really unreasonable answer; 394 035 degrees celcius
 
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  • #2
Zoey Brown said:
i got a really unreasonable answer; 394 035 degrees celcius
Be helpful if you showed HOW you got that result.
 

1. What is half life and how is it affected by temperature?

Half life is the amount of time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decay. The rate of decay is affected by temperature, with higher temperatures generally resulting in a shorter half life.

2. How does temperature affect the decay rate of a substance with a short half life?

If a substance has a short half life, increasing the temperature will generally increase the decay rate. This means that the substance will decay more quickly and its half life will be even shorter.

3. Can temperature change the type of decay a substance undergoes?

Yes, temperature can affect the type of decay a substance undergoes. At lower temperatures, a substance may undergo alpha decay, while at higher temperatures it may undergo beta decay. This is due to the different energy levels required for each type of decay.

4. Is there a specific temperature that can completely stop radioactive decay?

No, there is no specific temperature that can completely stop radioactive decay. However, at extremely low temperatures, the decay rate may be significantly slowed down.

5. How does temperature affect the accuracy of radiometric dating?

Radiometric dating relies on the assumption that the decay rate of a substance is constant over time. However, temperature can affect the decay rate, which can lead to inaccuracies in radiometric dating. To account for this, scientists must carefully control and measure the temperature of samples during the dating process.

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